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Info hot line: (570) 372-2242 Selinsgrove Area School District |
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Physics and Design technology students at Selinsgrove High School team up to create roller coasters. These coasters then provide a working model on which students apply computers and physics to calculate speed, G forces, acceleration and do vector analysis. But that is only the beginning... Making the coasters was not as simple as connecting parts. Students were assigned to teams. One goal of the project is for students to learn to work together. This can be a big challenge when personalities or knowledge and experience clash. Next, the team assigns roles like CEO, VP of Research, VP of Testing and more. These positions determined the tasks that individual will have toward the whole team's goals. They also needed to divide the labor of coaster construction. One team was challenged when they failed to communicate to each other who was building which part of the coaster. They discovered after considerable work that 3 different people were building the same part. Students are responsible for creating: a three dimensional logo, naming the coaster and their group, customizing their design and doing research on the history of roller coasters. They implement safety testing by calculating speeds, and G forces. They are even develop a marketing pitch to sell their coaster to the prospective buyer, Sealins World. A packet, developed by the teachers, called "Physics of K'nex™ Loop Roller Coaster" provides the formulas needed to achieve the mathematical calculations. Students must recognize and employ the tools needed to obtain their data for the safety checks. One such tool is a photo gate. Finally, the groups prepare both a written report reflecting their work and give an oral presentation to the class. They also do a self evaluation and a team evaluation. A final activity involves a field trip to Knoebel's for some real Coaster Madness riding the Phoenix's and Twister in early spring. This class demonstrates excellence in education by going beyond theory to have students actually manipulate materials, troubleshoot problems and otherwise apply what they are learning in class. It requires them to employ their math, science, design, art, language arts, and computer skills to achieve their goals. It encourages them to "Think Outside the Box". Implementing this project requires considerable equipment. It has been obtained by the teachers through Title 6 and Title 2 grants. The challenges to this project are considerable. But every year, students check with Bob Everly, Physics teacher, and Charles Kirchner, Technology teacher, to be sure they are signing up for "that class with the roller coaster project". Their enthusiasm and commitment are obviously infectious and have the students eager to participate. Be sure to check out the photos of this year's roller coaster projects here:
To learn more contact Charles Kirchner or Robert Everly. (Nov 1, 2001) |
